Whitemane and Darian had split up to hunt for Unas. She had gone in the opposite direction, so she only arrived at the scene now.
Afraid of a misunderstanding, Darian hurried over to explain what had happened.
Enduring the stench, Unas wandered around and found the greatsword that had been blown away in a corner. It had been reduced to a twisted strip of scrap iron.
Unas sighed. He was unarmed now, at their mercy.
Darian was arguing heatedly with Whitemane.
"He saved so many lives this time. Maybe we can let him go."
"One thing has nothing to do with the other. Until he explains who he is, he can never be trusted!"
"But my instincts tell me he's definitely not a bad person."
"Instincts? I don't believe in instincts. I only believe in evidence."
"Sister Sally..."
"Don't call me sister. We're not at home right now. Please address me as prosecutor."
Darian lowered his head, his plea a failure. Unas decided to surrender. Neither mentally nor physically did he want to run anymore.
Just then, a rapid clatter of hoofbeats came from the direction of the monastery. A large force seemed to be heading their way, and everyone fell silent.
The riders came into view in the blink of an eye. At their head was a one-eyed, middle-aged man. The black eyepatch over his right eye did nothing to diminish his noble bearing. His short brown hair stood upright, meticulously groomed, and an air of righteousness seemed to flow across his square face.
He carried a silver-hilted greatsword on his back, and a white tabard bearing a black Twin-Headed Eagle covered his muscular frame. Unas didn't know which unit this was.
Just half a horse's head behind him was a familiar face—Joseph Gordon.
The moment Unas saw Gordon, he nearly burst into tears. It was like running into a dear friend or relative he hadn't seen in years. I've been waiting and waiting, and my savior is finally here.
The one-eyed knight abruptly reined in his horse. The formation behind him halted in perfect order, without the slightest confusion. This looked like a well-trained force that obeyed orders to the letter.
Darian and Whitemane both bowed slightly. "Lord Tyrosus."
Now Unas remembered. This one-eyed man was Baron Maxwell Tyrosus, the leader of the Argent Dawn. In the game, he had always hung around Light's Hope Chapel, handing out a few quests and keeping a low profile. Unas hadn't expected him to look so mighty and imposing in person.
Tyrosus nodded to the two in return and asked in a deep voice, "What happened here? We received a report at the monastery that the enemy had attacked, so I came to provide support."
Darian the commentator began his explanation again. Perhaps to make up for his earlier failure to mediate, he embellished it with all sorts of florid adjectives, praising Unas to the skies. Unas hadn't realized the kid had such a talent for being a bard.
Unas blushed a little as he listened. He turned his attention to Gordon, and their eyes met. Gordon gave him a slight nod, seemingly meaning he had things under control, and Unas couldn't help feeling reassured.
Darian finally finished his boasting. He turned and winked playfully at Unas, who smiled back at him.
After hearing the report, Tyrosus's one eye lit up. He turned to Unas. "You're the wandering Paladin Unas-Lawugade?"
"Yes, Lord Tyrosus." Unas copied the others and bowed. He couldn't afford to offend this one-eyed uncle.
"I've already heard about you from Gordon. I believe you're a noble and courageous Paladin, and the Argent Dawn looks forward to having you join us." Tyrosus extended the invitation very directly.
Unas looked at Gordon, who nodded emphatically. He hurriedly said, "I'd be happy to..."
"Wait!" Whitemane interrupted him without the slightest courtesy. "I'm afraid that would be inappropriate, Lord Tyrosus. This man's identity is a mystery, and everything he says is a lie. Until the Inquisition has verified his identity and deemed him qualified, no one has the authority to recruit him!"
"If we did everything by the Inquisition's rules, more than half my men would have to be driven out of the monastery." Tyrosus smiled at her. "My little Sally, you can't expect an old man like me to be a general with no soldiers, can you?"
The soldiers immediately burst into laughter.
Whitemane's face flushed bright red, and she was overcome with embarrassment and anger. "I can't do anything about those people, but I'm the prosecutor on duty today, and he's a newcomer who only arrived today. By law, he falls under my jurisdiction, and I do not consent to your recruiting him!"
Things grew awkward.
Normally, when Lord Tyrosus personally stepped in to vouch for someone, everyone would give him face and let the matter slide. No one had expected him to run into the stubborn Whitemane.
Tyrosus gave a self-deprecating laugh. After all, he was the one in the wrong. "Then how does Prosecutor Whitemane intend to deal with this newcomer?"
"He will be taken to the Inquisition for investigation!" Whitemane answered firmly.
"Then I suppose I'll have to accompany him to the Inquisition." Tyrosus turned serious again. "It's been a long time since I sat in on one of its Judgments."
Darian hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "How could we trouble Lord Tyrosus over a mere interrogation? I guarantee the Inquisition's questioning of Mr. Unas will be fair, impartial, and open."
"You can't guarantee anything, Darian. My advice is to stay away from those fanatics at the Inquisition!" The speaker was a rider to Tyrosus's right. A cross-shaped faceplate hid his face, but he sounded young.
Unas took a closer look. The man was wearing the Paladin T2 set—the Judgement Armor. Its distinctive golden, triangular pyramid-shaped pauldrons were the set's trademark. This was Unas's favorite Paladin set; from its shape to its colors, its design was the best expression of the Paladin class.
"Watch your words, Erigor. I have no wish to trade insults with you." Whitemane forcibly suppressed her anger. "I'll be waiting for you all at the Inquisition."
With that, she turned and left. Darian gave an awkward smile and followed her. The guy really was his sister's tagalong, though that butt was indeed quite shapely and well worth following.
"Erigor, you and your unit stay behind to clean up the scene. All other units, return to camp!" Tyrosus said nothing more and turned his horse around after giving the order.
The main force followed Tyrosus away, leaving only a disgruntled Erigor and the few dozen cavalrymen under his command.
Gordon stayed behind as well. He dismounted and strode over, patting Unas on the shoulder. "You did well. You stopped a disaster and saved so many people."
"Haha, I just happened to lend a hand." Unas was a little unused to all the praise and hurriedly changed the subject. "What's the situation now?"
"Don't worry. Lord Tyrosus and I will go to the Inquisition with you. I guarantee you'll be fine." Gordon knew what concerned him most and thumped his chest to reassure him.
"As long as you've got me covered, haha." Unas relaxed and said in mock reproach, "You had such a powerful backer and didn't tell me sooner. I worried for nothing."
"You got lucky, kid. The other lords in charge are all away from the monastery at the moment," Gordon said with a smile. "The only people in charge here now are Lord Tyrosus and High Prosecutor Isillien. That old man won't offend Lord Tyrosus over a little thing like this."
Unas grew even more curious. Isillien was a familiar name too, so he pressed on. "Give me a proper explanation of how things work around here."
"Let's talk on the way. We shouldn't keep his lordship waiting."
Gordon exchanged a greeting with Erigor, who was gloomily clearing away the wreckage. Then he and Unas went to Unas's temporary tent, found Parrion's brown horse, and rode side by side toward the monastery.
(P.S. I made a few changes and brought the Argent Dawn in early, so readers familiar with Warcraft history, please go easy on me. Also, I'm taking a ride back to my hometown for the New Year today. Family matters will keep me very busy, but I'll do my best to keep updating. Thank you all for adding this to your collections and for your support, and thanks to Adjutant, Wuke Gaibian, and Little Bud for the recommendation votes. Wishing everyone a happy New Year in advance!)